Abercrombie & Kent x Duchess
Enjoy exclusive access to a collection of Britain’s historic stately homes, castles, and palaces. Following the success of the popular podcast Duchess, of which A&K is the official travel partner, we are inviting you to live like a Duchess and stay in the historic estates featured in the series.
You can follow in the footsteps of the Duchess of Rutland who provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the inspiring women who shape Knowsley Hall, Inveraray Castle, Scone Palace, Carlton Towers and Sudeley Castle.
We have been given the key to these remarkable estates and would like to invite you to step inside. Spend the night in a Tudor bed chamber among a priceless art collection, stroll through an Elizabethan rose garden, fish in a private lake, or take afternoon tea in a lodge favoured by royalty.
Spend time with the custodians and explore hidden corridors, learn about treasured heirlooms, and hear epic tales of romance. If you’re a fan of Downton Abbey or The Crown discover what it’s really like to be the ‘lady of the manor’ with a bespoke tailor-made tour of these majestic homes.
The Houses
Belvoir Castle
Stay in the splendour of Belvoir Castle, the grand ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland. During your stay, allow your hosts to share some of their stately home secrets as you tour the majestic State Dining Room, military splendour of the Guardroom and view priceless artwork by the likes of Gainsborough & Holbein.
Knowsley Hall
By invitation of The Earl and Countess of Derby, guests of A&K can enjoy exclusive use of the Knowsley Hall Estate. The quintessential walled estate, which covers more than 1,000 hectares, has been in the continuous ownership of the Stanley family since 1385. Enjoy wine tastings in the houses storied dining room before retiring to bedrooms personally designed by Lady Derby.
Scone Palace
Scone Palace was the crowning place of Scottish kings and home of the Stone of Destiny. Stay within the Palace’s historic walls at the invitation of the Earl & Countess of Mansfield, whose family have lived here for more than 400 years. Fish in the River Tay beside the palace and take Scottish Country Dancing lessons in the Palace’s ancient rooms.
Birdsall House
Birdsall House is a stunning grand family home set in the breath-taking countryside of North Yorkshire, the largest county in the UK. The house has been lived in by the Willoughby family since it was built in 1540 and is still very much a family home. Enjoy the estates exquisite gardens and supper in it's magnificent dining room.
Carlton Towers
A warm welcome awaits when you cross the threshold of Carlton Towers, a hidden gem deep in the heart of Yorkshire. The home of Lord and Lady Gerald Fitzalan-Howard, the grand estate, set in rolling parkland, can be traced back to the Domesday Book in 1086. Savour wine made on the estate with your hosts before retiring to one of Carlton’s stunning bedrooms, designed by Lady Gerald.
Sudeley Castle
Discover how American-born Lady Ashcombe took on the running of historic Sudeley Castle when she suddenly became a young widow. During the past 50 years she has successfully worked to restore the Cotswold estate, which is the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within its grounds.
Glin Castle
Step into the historic home of the Knights of Glin. Stay within the turrets of Glin Castle, which lies on the banks of the River Shannon in Ireland, home to the FitzGerald family for 800 years. Set in the stunning countryside of County Limerick surrounded by gardens and parkland, the castle features beautiful Georgian interiors filled with the fascinating history of the Fitzgerald family.
Traquair House
Traquair is Scotland’s Oldest Inhabited House and has strong associations with Mary Queen of Scots and the Jacobite uprisings. The Stuarts at Traquair have lived here since 1491 and their descendants are still here today. Stay in the untouched beauty of Traquair, nestled in a sleeping valley with an air of mystery and magic.
Constable Burton Hall
Enjoy exclusive use of Constable Burton Hall set on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Home to the Wyvill family since the Tudor period; the charming Neo classical country house features stunning interiors, surrounded by their renowned tulip gardens. Tour the hall with a member of the family, dine in the splendour of the Georgian dining room, before retiring to one of the lovingly curated bedrooms.
Deene Park
Deene Park has been the family home of the Brudenells since 1514 and boasts an unbroken line of Brudenells for over 15 generations, and very much remains a family home. They became the Earls of Cardigan and the 7th Earl of the Charge of the Light Brigade fame has left much military memorabilia including Ronald, the Horse, who led the Charge.
Hedingham Castle
Hedingham Castle is one of the most historical homes in Britain, owned by Jason Lindsay and his wife Demetra. Jason is a descendant of the Earls of Oxford who built the Norman Keep, which was completed around 1140. Dine in the splendour of one of world’s oldest Great Halls and take part in jousting tournaments in the grounds.